Jeong Seon

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Geumgangjeondo, Landscape of Geumgangsan in Korea, painted by Jeong Seon. Ink and oriental watercolour on paper.
Enlarge
Geumgangjeondo, Landscape of Geumgangsan in Korea, painted by Jeong Seon. Ink and oriental watercolour on paper.
Jeong Seon
Hangul: 정선
Hanja: 鄭敾
Revised Romanization: Jeong Seon
McCune-Reischauer: Chǒng Sǒn
Pen name
Hangul: 겸재 or 난곡
Hanja: 謙齋 or 蘭谷
Revised Romanization: Gyeomjae or Nan-gok
McCune-Reischauer: Kyǒmjae or Nan'gok
Courtesy name
Hangul: 원백
Hanja: 元伯
Revised Romanization: Won Baek
McCune-Reischauer: Wǒn Paek

Jeong Seon (1676–1759) was a well-known Korean landscape painter, also known as by his pen name Gyeomjae (meaning humble study). He was the first known Korean painter to depart from traditional Chinese styles. It is reported that he frequently left his studio and painted the world around him, as he could see it. Soon, Jeong Seon inspired other Korean artists to follow suit, leaving a lasting impact on Korean art of the Joseon era.

In contrast to most painters at the time, Jeong Seon was not born in a wealthy family. He was discovered by an aristocratic neighbour who recommended him to the court. Soon he gained an official position.

Jeong is said to have painted daily, with a prolific output until his old age. His paintings are classified as Southern School, but during his life, Jeong developed his own style: unique brush wrinkles of bold strokes in parallels.

[edit] See also